plural bases
ˈbā-ˌsēz 
1
: the bottom of something considered as its foundation
2
: the principal component of something
Fruit juice constitutes the basis of jelly.
3
a
: something on which something else is established or based
stories with little basis in reality
no legal basis for a new trial
still some basis for hope
selected on the basis of test scores
b
: an underlying condition or state of affairs
hired on a trial basis
He is on a first-name basis with his customers.
c
: a fixed pattern or system
meets with us on a regular basis [=regularly]
The department sends reports on a daily basis. [=every day]
4
: the basic principle
concepts that form the basis of the country's economic policies
5
mathematics
: a set of linearly independent vectors (see vector entry 1 sense 1a) in a vector space such that any vector in the vector space can be expressed as a linear combination of them with appropriately chosen coefficients (see coefficient sense 1)
Synonyms
Examples of basis in a Sentence
The company does not hire employees on the basis of their race, sex, age, or religion.
the sole basis for the rumor is someone's overactive imagination
Recent Examples on the Web
This is why Russia, China and India are all expanding their number of bases, while Turkey, Saudi Arabia and even Iran are looking to secure a foothold on the continent.
—
The Week Uk, theweek, 6 Nov. 2024
The latest Des Moines Register poll showing skyrocketing enthusiasm for Vice President Harris among Iowa’s independent women set off alarm bells for former President Trump and his allies, as both parties seek to rally their bases and drive turnout.
—Julia Manchester, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Palantir’s revenue grew 30% on a year-over-year basis and the company lifted its forecast for the full year.
—Brian Evans, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
His attorney William Sulton argued during a 20-minute initial appearance that there was no legal basis for the charges and, afterward, accused the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office of bringing the charges to get media attention.
—Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for basis 
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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The Week Uk, theweek, 6 Nov. 2024
The latest Des Moines Register poll showing skyrocketing enthusiasm for Vice President Harris among Iowa’s independent women set off alarm bells for former President Trump and his allies, as both parties seek to rally their bases and drive turnout.
—Julia Manchester, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Palantir’s revenue grew 30% on a year-over-year basis and the company lifted its forecast for the full year.
—Brian Evans, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
His attorney William Sulton argued during a 20-minute initial appearance that there was no legal basis for the charges and, afterward, accused the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office of bringing the charges to get media attention.
—Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for basis
Dictionary Entries Near basis
Cite this Entry
“Basis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basis. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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Medical Definition
Legal Definition
basis
noun
ba·sis
ˈbā-səs
plural bases
-ˌsēz
1
: something (as a principle or reason) on which something else is established
the court could not imagine any conceivable basis for the statute
see also rational basis
2
: a basic principle or method
especially
: the principle or method by which taxable income is calculated
Note: The Internal Revenue Code has set some limits on which method a taxpayer may use for figuring taxable income. For example, a corporation with gross receipts under $5,000,000 may be a cash-basis taxpayer.
—
accrual basis
: a method of accounting in which income and expenses are recorded in the period when they are earned or incurred regardless of when the payment is received or made
called also accrual method
—
cash basis
: a method of accounting in which income and expenses are recorded in the period when payment is received or made
called also cash method
3
: the value (as cost or fair market value) of an asset used in calculating capital gains or losses for income tax purposes
—
adjusted basis
: the basis of an asset increased or decreased to reflect changes in value (as through improvement or depreciation)
—
carryover basis
\
ˈkar-ē-ˌō-vər-
\
: the basis of a donated or transferred asset that is equal to the basis of the asset when it was in the hands of the donor or transferor
Note: Carryover basis is generally applied to gifts and to transfers in trust.
—
cost basis
: the basis of an asset equal to the amount paid for the asset plus other acquisition costs
—
stepped-up basis
\
ˈstept-ˈəp-
\
: the basis of inherited property equal to its market value at the decedent's date of death or to an alternate valuation
—
substituted basis
: the basis of property received in exchange for property of a like kind that is equal to the basis of the property given with adjustments for additional consideration received or gains and losses realized
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